Looking for a .22 Handgun. Help?

[rodriguezpoultry]

I'm wanting to get a .22 handgun. I've only ever had one other gun and it was a Smith & Wesson 9mm. It was WAY too strong for me, I almost hit myself in the face with it each time I'd fire it. So, I put it in a safe place at the house. Come to find out, my brother found it and I no longer have a handgun.

So, I'm looking for a low caliber handgun for my protection (.22 won't do alot of damage to a person, but to an animal...), especially against possums, raccoons, etc.

Can anyone give me an idea of what type I'm looking for? I'm not very savvy on the terminology.

I want:

.22 caliber
semi-auto (I'm not against revolver)
nothing too big..maybe a bit smaller than my 9mm S&W was.
Do you know of a place that sells them without being ridiculous in price?


I was looking at the Jennings J-22 .22LR pistol, but it just seems really small at only 5".



PLEASE don't turn this into a huge debate/rant type thing because I am seriously needing some guidance here. Thank you for any suggestions!

 

[horsejody]

Go to a gun show. They have lots of choices. Around here the gun shows are much cheaper than shops. Also, if you can't find a 22 that you like, consider a Taurus Judge. It's a 45 that also shoots a 410 shell. It has very little kick to it and, despite it's appearance, is very well suited for the smaller hands of a woman.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I was looking for a gun show in the Fayetteville, AR area but couldn't find any that were nearby?

Do you have any websites that you visit to find out which gun shows are coming to your area? I have no issue going to Tulsa, OK (HUGE gun shows there), especially since I have an OK license.

 

[MoSo]

Quote:
Haven't shot one before, but I'd be incredibly surprised if something shooting an 45 long (or a 410, for that matter) didn't have a serious kick.



I use a 12 gauge with a light target load for varmints

 

[yotetrapper]

If you're not opposed to revolvers, get a Ruger single 6. Under $500, darn fine gun. But just a word of caution here, dont think a .22 wont do serious damage to a human.... a .22 will kill most humans dead unless you're a terrible shot, lol.

 

[ErieSpurs]

A SIG Mosquito is a very nice gun. You can usually find them new under $500.

We have one with a sight and it is very accurate.

Note: If you use a gun for self defense and plan on keeping it loaded for extended periods - get a revolver. If you leave semi-autos with rounds in the clip for too long it can damage the spring.

Also if a semi-auto jams and someone is coming at you, you are in trouble. If you have a double action revolver and it misfires, all you have to do is pull the trigger again.

If you aren't hell bent on a pistol. .410 and 20 gauge shotguns are great and don't kick as bad. Or even a .22 Ruger rifle.

As a previous poster stated the Judge doesn't kick too bad for a .45, but it still kicks. It is a fairly heavy gun so it reduces how bad it kicks.




Good Luck.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
Haven't shot one before, but I'd be incredibly surprised if something shooting an 45 long (or a 410, for that matter) didn't have a serious kick.



I use a 12 gauge with a light target load for varmints

Surprisingly, there is hardly any kick at all.

 

[MoSo]

Quote:
Haven't shot one before, but I'd be incredibly surprised if something shooting an 45 long (or a 410, for that matter) didn't have a serious kick.



I use a 12 gauge with a light target load for varmints

Surprisingly, there is hardly any kick at all.

Wow, that's interesting, I might have to try one. The idea of alternating shells is interesting.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Quote:
See, I already have a rifle and a .20 gauge that I use around the home, but I'd prefer something that didn't take so much to get loaded. The .22 rifle isn't that bad, but I hate having to lug the thing around when I could just have the pistol in the holster at my side. I'd like something for my own protection, but a .22 doesn't have the kind of damage necessary to stop a person who was coming after me. If someone wanted to get me a .22 isn't going to stop them.

I really like the .22 because of it's no-kick power, but if something else didn't have a kick and the shells were as cheap....


Edit: I saw the SIG Mosquito at the pawn shop..picked it up and knew I liked it. I'd really like to get it, but that's a freakin' lot of cash to fork over for a handgun I'm going to use for varmints. I was hoping to find one used, but can't seem to find it?

 

[ZombieChicken]

Try the Ruger MK iii very accurate and reliable.
http://www.gunblast.com/Ruger_MarkIII-Hunter.htm